Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in October
Des Moines cools off: highs slip to 63°F (17°C), from 78°F in September, with lows of 41°F (5°C) and about 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain.
At 86/100 for comfort (2nd of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (71 mm)
- Humidity
- 71%
- Cloud cover
- 53%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 51 min
- Comfort score
- 86/100 · Great
What October feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 63°F (17°C), good for long walks.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 12°C (22°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.8 in (71 mm).
Plan around October
October is one of Des Moines's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by November, the score drops to 64/100.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 8°C (15°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 90/100 in September to 86/100.
- October sits inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 41°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Des Moines in October
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Free outdoor park with works by Jaume Plensa, Claes Oldenburg and others.
Why now October scores 86/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Brewpub open since 1996 in a historic downtown warehouse.
Iowa State Capitol
Gold-domed capitol with a free tour and an ornate law library.
Raygun
Local print shop with screenprinted shirts and wry Midwest humor.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Riverside gardens and a domed tropical conservatory.
Why now Highs near 63°F and 2.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in October
- Omaha in October~122 mi · highs 63°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in October~151 mi · highs 58°F, 2.9 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in October~164 mi · highs 60°F, 3.1 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in October~179 mi · highs 66°F, 3.6 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Des Moines in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Des Moines?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 86/100. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain. October is inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
How cold is Des Moines in October?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Des Moines in October?
Some: about 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 41°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Des Moines
Routes in season in October
- Iowa Driftless & River Towns May – Oct
Planning Des Moines in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.